PLACARD-WAVING campaigners staged a protest outside the Council House yesterday against the so-called ‘bedroom tax’.

Almost a fortnight after government plans came into force cutting housing benefits to social housing tenants deemed to have a spare room, latest figures revealed 3,180 Coventry families are being hit.

It is estimated 2,556 households are facing a one bedroom reduction with a further 624 deemed to require a two bedroom downgrade.

If not willing or able to downsize the average household will lose £771 a year – or £15 per week.

Up to 50 campaigners listened to passionate speeches outside as councillors attended a cabinet meeting on housing.

They are demanding the council and Whitefriars, as the city’s biggest social housing provider, pledge not to evict those who cannot afford their rent due to the changes

Organiser and anti-cuts campaigners Rob McArdle said: “The four councillors on the board at Whitefriars should be using their influence to say no to evictions. Up and down the country councils are doing this. With 14 per cent cuts people are going to lose their homes.

“Where are the properties for them to downsize to? People should not be living in fear of being evicted. Around 40 per cent of those affected have children. People who have lived in their homes for years are being uprooted to a different area and having to change schools.

“It is callous and cruel.”

Coun David Skinner attended the protest and is one of the councillors who is also a director on the Whitefriars board. The other directors are Labour councillors Tariq Khan, Kevin Maton and Linda Bigham.

Coun Skinner said: “We have agreed none of the individual directors will make a statement. But as (Conservative) shadow cabinet member for housing I recognise what people are saying and I know it’s going to be difficult for some people.

“I’ve just come out here to listen.”

The council has a discretionary housing payments scheme to support a limited number of people whose housing benefit does not meet the cost of rent – and who cannot pay the difference.

Mick Rawson, chair of Whitefriars Housing, said: “We share the council’s concern about the impact of these benefit changes on hard pressed families.

“We are doing all we can to ensure that our tenants receive advice and support. It is important that anyone affected talks to their housing officer as soon as possible.”

COVENTRY City Council insists it opposes the ‘bedroom tax’ – but was unclear yesterday whether there are enough homes in the city for people to downsize to.

The council has been working with Whitefriars and the Citizens Advice Bureau to alert those affected to the impact of the changes which came in to effect from April 1.

A statement from Coun Ed Ruane, cabinet member for housing, said: “The bedroom tax is so chaotic – it could actually end up costing more than it saves.

“If families are made homeless or pushed into expensive private rented accommodation the taxpayer could actually be left with a higher bill and still the problem of under-occupancy will not be solved.”